The Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) recently reported the large amount of federal discretionary funds that have been allocated to militarism and war.
The analysis showed an overwhelming $1.1 trillion, which accounts for 62% of the federal discretionary budget, was spent on military-related activities in the previous year.
“When we invest so heavily in militarism at home and abroad, we deprive our own communities and people of solutions to problems that pose immediate security threats,” said co-author Lindsay Koshgarian, Program Director of the National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies.
The report was called “The Warfare State: How Funding for Militarism Compromises our Welfare,” and showed the substantial portion of the federal budget directed toward military endeavors. It also highlighted the huge impact on government spending priorities. This $1.1 trillion in spending on war and militarism represents a considerable financial commitment but also prompts concerns about the potential opportunity costs associated with these types of allocations.
Major findings included that less than $2 out of every $5 in federal spending was available to fund investments in things like public education, housing programs, child care programs, federal disaster relief, environmental programs and scientific research. The U.S. also spent $16 on military and war for every $1 spent on diplomacy and humanitarian foreign aid. Federal spending on nuclear weapons was $32 billion, which is four times spent on substance abuse and mental health programs.
Critics say that the funds could be redirected to address pressing domestic issues. These include healthcare, education and infrastructure which are essential for the well-being and advancement of American society. The report further emphasizes the need for a comprehensive re-evaluation of U.S. spending priorities, as well as reexamining military investment roles. There were also several recommended proposals that aim to promote a better distribution of funds while also maintaining national security.
One recommendation is to reduce the budget for the Pentagon and nuclear weapons by $100 billion or more, and also reinvest the savings in non-militarized discretionary priorities. Another is to make future Pentagon spending increases contingent on the Department of Defense passing an audit. It was also recommended to increase congressional oversight to make it more difficult for the U.S. to go to war and accrue debt. Another recommendation was to restructure the immigration system to support robust legal immigration and undocumented residents. Finally, it was recommended to end federal support for racist and counterproductive policing, which includes the war on drugs.
“All this serves the profits of a wealthy few war profiteers, at everyone else’s expense. Meanwhile, public goods that benefit all of us are under attack,” said Co-Author Ashik Siddique, who is a research analyst at the National Priorities Project. “For a fraction of the cost of U.S. militarism since 2001, we could have instead ended homelessness in this country, or invested in a fully renewable national electric grid to help address the climate crisis. A better world is possible, if we build the power we need to make it happen.”
